London Pride Festival 2015 - in pictures

Police officers take part in the annual Pride in London Parade (Getty)

Rainbow flags flew high above the London crowds as the annual Pride parade was energised by two recent landmark decisions advancing LGBT legal rights.

The hundreds of LGBT groups and supporters who marched from Baker Street to Whitehall were jubilant after the United States Supreme Court legalised same-sex marriage. In May, a referendum in Ireland gave the green light to same-sex marriages.

Pride in London is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations (Getty)

People attend London Pride parade (Getty)

A dog is dressed in a rainbow coat (Getty)

Participants hold up a giant rainbow flag on the parade route from Baker Street to Whitehall (Getty)

Crowds lined the entire route to watch thousands take part in the march, which included flagbearers, campaign groups and businesses (Getty)

Members of 'Stonewall', who work for equality and justice for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals, take part in the annual Pride Parade in London (Getty)

This year’s Pride was a first for some, including Ukip’s LGBT group. The group joined the march – to cheers and jeers – despite being banned after campaigners, including the human rights activist Peter Tatchell, criticised its inclusion (Getty)

In a sign of solidarity with members of the LGBT community in other countries, flag bearers carried more than 200 international flags as they walked the route (Getty)

A member of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community takes part in the annual Pride Parade in London (Getty)

A member of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community takes part in the annual Pride Parade in London (Getty)

Sir Ian McKellen takes part in the annual Pride In London parade (Getty)

Dancers perform at the London Pride festival (Getty)

A member of the public enjoys the London Pride festival (Getty)

Cheerful crowd at the London Pride parade (Getty)

People attend the London Pride festival (Getty)